70 C.E.
Jews first arrived on the shores of southern Albania, establishing one of the oldest Jewish communities in the region. This early presence laid the foundations for a continuous Jewish heritage nearly two millennia in the making.
Jewish life, learning, and community in the heart of Albania
Chabad of Albania welcomes every Jew with warmth and respect. We are here to help you connect with tradition, celebrate holidays, study Torah, and find a supportive community—whether you live here or are visiting Tirana. In the heart of the Balkans, upon the sacred land of Albania — a nation built upon honor, hospitality, and dignity — emerged and survived one of the most extraordinary stories in human history: the story of the enduring bond between the Albanian people and the Jewish people. The Jewish community in Albania is not merely a religious community. It is a symbol of survival, humanity, faith, and mutual respect. From the coastal city of Vlorë to the historic streets of Berat, from Durrës to the capital city of Tiranë, Jewish heritage has been interwoven with Albanian history for centuries.
What We Offer
Shabbat and Holiday services
Friday night and Shabbat meals
Torah classes and study groups
Holiday celebrations and events
Kosher food and hospitality
Mezuzah and Tefillin services
Bar and Bat Mitzvah assistance
Jewish lifecycle guidance
Tourist information and support
Community gatherings and social events
EST. 70 C.E.
A sacred history of faith, salvation, and light.
5th Century
Remains of an ancient synagogue were discovered in Saranda, a coastal city in southern Albania — a testament to centuries of Jewish life and worship on this land. These findings confirm that Jewish identity was woven into Albania's cultural fabric long before the modern era.
World War II
During the darkest chapter of modern civilization — the Holocaust — Albania stood apart as a beacon of hope. Guided by Besa, the sacred Albanian code of honor, Muslim, Christian, and Bektashi families opened their homes to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution, risking their own lives to protect Jewish men, women, and children. Albania became one of the very few countries in the world where the Jewish population after the war was greater than before — a historic testimony that elevated the nation into the moral conscience of humanity.
A New Era
Following decades of communist isolation, Albania entered a new era of spiritual and cultural rebirth. The Albanian Jewish community gradually reconnected with the global Jewish diaspora and with the State of Israel, rebuilding the foundations of Jewish identity and communal life in the region.
December 2010
The Hechal Shlomo Synagogue was inaugurated in Tirana, and Rabbi Yoel Kaplan was appointed as the first Chief Rabbi of Albania. Within this historic revival, Chabad-Lubavitch brought its spirit of unity, faith, education, and Jewish continuity to the country — becoming a central pillar of Jewish religious and communal life.
Today
Chabad Albania has become a vibrant center of Jewish life in the Balkans. Through Shabbat dinners, Hanukkah ceremonies, Pesach gatherings, Rosh Hashanah events, educational initiatives, kosher hospitality, and community outreach, it serves both local Jews and the growing number of Jewish visitors from around the world.
The Future
Today, Chabad Albania stands as more than a religious institution — it is a living bridge between Albania and the Jewish world, preserving Jewish heritage while strengthening the enduring friendship between the Albanian and Jewish peoples. The vision ahead is a modern Jewish center — a home for prayer, culture, education, unity, and hospitality — where every Jew visiting Albania feels at home, where the spirit of Besa continues to inspire the world, and where the flags of Albania and Israel stand side by side as symbols of eternal friendship and mutual respect.
No matter where you come from or where you're headed, you've found a home. We're here for every person who walks through our doors.
Rooted Here. Here for You
Chabad of Albania is dedicated to providing every Jew — resident or visitor — with the resources, warmth, and connection they need. From a warm Shabbat meal to a listening ear, from a pair of Tefillin to a full holiday celebration, we are here for whatever the Jewish community needs.